[wannalearn01]

A lot of times when I am trying to tune my guitar(electric/acoustic), either with a regular tuner or by a chromatic(i think thats what they are called) it will take me a long time to get them to the right note. Like the top string will hop from a D to a G, or other just "weird" things. Does that sound like something in my pick-ups, or the internal electronics?

I only need to tune it once in a while but it is hard when I do.

Should I try and fugure this out or try and learn how to tune by ear/harmonics/etc? If so, what way is the BEST?

Thanks

T^roy

P.S. BTW I have a Epiphone AJ seires with a piezo pick-up and 3 band EQ.

[evileye]

If the tuner has a mic' try using the mic', or if it has an input try plugging the guitar into it. It's usually best to pick the string once every second and apparently your best using your fingers but I dont think it really matters.

[wannalearn01]

Now that you mention it. The only time it acts funny is when I plug it into the tunner. When it is unplugged it usually goes well...

So what would make a tuner not be able to pick up a note from a electric-acoustic*

I mean my guitar is like 2-3 months old. It has a "limited lifetime warranty" via Epiphone U.S.A. so do you think I should take it somewhere to be looked at?

*I also wne from light to super light strings..if that could be the problem.

T^roy

[evileye]

Now that you mention it. The only time it acts funny is when I plug it into the tunner. When it is unplugged it usually goes well...

So what would make a tuner not be able to pick up a note from a electric-acoustic*

I mean my guitar is like 2-3 months old. It has a "limited lifetime warranty" via Epiphone U.S.A. so do you think I should take it somewhere to be looked at?

*I also wne from light to super light strings..if that could be the problem.

T^roy

It could be the output volume, the EQ could be set too bass-y for the tuner. Your usually just best to use the built in mic', the inputs are mostly made to pick up the frequency of an electric rather than an acoustic. If the mic' works just use that.

[stuartmerenbloom]

Super light stings are a b__ch to keep in tune.

[dadfad]

Plugged in, it might be overly sensitive and is picking up contrasting notes from symathetic (un-picked, but vibrating) strings.

[Jon_Mac]

Yeah when i try to tune my electric guitar i have to turn the volume down all the way (i usually have it all the way up) and then i have to turn my tone all the way down to make it more bassy. I find when i use a pick it jumps from different notes because when the plastic hits the strings it makes a higher pitched noise so i just use my fingers and it usually works fine.

By the way what kind/model tuner do u have?

This post has been edited by Jon_Mac: 14 April 2004 - 02:55 PM

[goldrush]

Make sure you're not plucking the string too hard as that can cause a tuner to go wild (in addition to making surrounding strings vibrate also, as DADFAD said). Pluck it the same hardness as you play (about every second) to get the tuner to respond better. If all else fails check the battery on the tuner.

[TK*]

Try muting your other strings as you pluck the one you're trying to tune.

[hammeron]

Pluck each string at the 12th fret, it has a purer sound there (less interfering harmonics).

[STRAIGHTACE1]

check the battery in your tuner.

[wavewalker]

Learn to tune by ear anyway. One day it will come in handy.

[SuperBob]

I haven't posted much, only just read, but I'm having a similar problem. When I try to tune by my tuner, it generally says all my strings are getting HIGHER in pitch, not lower as it would seem that they should. I'm not sure if it's becuase the tuner is bad or it's correct and for some reason my strings really ARE going higher in pitch over time... I tune it using the mic, as I don't have a pickup on my guitar... any possible ideas?

[metallica_fan_03]

the cable you are using could be dodgy. thats the only thing i can think of other than whats been said

[evileye]

Learn to tune by ear anyway.  One day it will come in handy.

That's true, the best way to do it.

And as that fellow from stab city said (I dont know yer' name... ), check the cable. If the cable is giving off a hum all your going to pick up is a G or G#.

[wannalearn01]

Thanks guys, those problems was what I thought it coudl be, and some new ones I have never thought of.

I don't know what kind it is, I know it is a like a 20 dollar tuner though. Usually when I tune in the guitar I tune the top to E and do the rest by ear, changing to tuner to "reassure" myself. I can get it clsoe but some strings(the b string) always give me trouble...now that I think of it..what position on the g-string is the b?

So I have seen people tune by harmonics...is that harder, easier, or jsut plan cool?

Thanks for the help guys,

T^roy

This post has been edited by wannalearn01: 16 April 2004 - 09:55 AM

[goldrush]

Harmonic tuning works well also, but you have to be exact where you place your finger. You can't do it for the B-string.

If I don't use a tuner I always pluck the in-tune string first, then quickly pluck the one to be tuned. Always bring the string to be tuned flatter than it's supposed to be then bring it UP to pitch. That takes up any potential slack in the string and it'll hold the tuning better.

[hammeron]

now that I think of it..what position on the g-string is the b?

4th fret.

So I have seen people tune by harmonics...is that harder, easier, or jsut plan cool?

Don't waste your time, it just doesn't work.

[evileye]

Another great way to tune is by using a harmonica. No, no fancy gimmicks ("Harmonics" pfft! ) - a nice simple harmonica in the key of A does me grand.

[wannalearn01]

now that I think of it..what position on the g-string is the b?

4th fret.

So I have seen people tune by harmonics...is that harder, easier, or jsut plan cool?

Don't waste your time, it just doesn't work.

Thats what I was thinking, but then I second guessed myself.

So a no go on the harmonic tuning huh?

What about a tuning fork. I'm looking for something that I won't have to add batteries too....and I'm not down with blowing....

T^roy